The Substitute Ch.72

Chapter 72: That’s It

As soon as this Weibo post was published, it stirred up a storm once again. All the previous speculations and so-called “solid evidence” were instantly debunked. The most shocking part was that Meng Ying, who had once been overshadowed by Yang Tong and relied on her connections to climb up, turned out to be the girlfriend of the current president of Xu Corporation. What kind of fairy-tale plot is this?

“OMG, is the Meng Ying he mentioned the same Meng Ying we know?”

“I clicked into the account, and yes, it’s her, it’s really her.”

“Is this an official announcement? I really can’t believe it.”

“Am I the only one focusing on the 90-million-yuan earrings? Sister Meng Ying, can you come out and tell us how it feels to own those earrings?”

“Let me tell you, the design of these earrings is leaf-shaped, but when worn, they give off a wrapped-around feeling. From a distance, they look like half a heart. Plus, there’s a matching necklace that goes with the earrings—it’s a complete set.”

“I don’t even know what to say. Miss Yang, is your face swollen? You pretended to be his girlfriend for a whole day, posting so actively on Weibo before, but now that the hot search is out, you’ve gone silent. Are you dead?”

“Finally, someone is calling out Miss Yang for her shady antics, pretending to be someone else’s girlfriend.”

“The real deal has come out to slap you in the face. Ouch, you might be receiving a lawyer’s letter soon.”

“Uh, I just want to know what this President Xu looks like. Is he even worthy of our Meng Ying?”

#MengYing’sBoyfriendCurrentPresidentOfXuCorporation#

#MengYingOwnerOfTheEternalLeaf#

#MengYingAndXuDianOfficialAnnouncement#

On the last trending topic, many fans noticed something unusual.

“Wait, why is Meng Ying’s name listed first? Shouldn’t it be President Xu?”

“Yeah, it kinda feels like Meng Ying is stealing the spotlight.”

“@XuCorporationXuDian, President Xu, are you satisfied with this hot search?”

This fan was just casually asking, not expecting a response from such a big shot. Surprisingly, he replied.

Xu Dian from Xu Corporation replied to Changjiu Real Estate: “Satisfied.”

The fan from Changjiu Real Estate was stunned. A few seconds later, they exclaimed: “Ahhhhhhhhh! He actually replied to me! He actually replied to me! Oh my god, isn’t President Xu supposed to be aloof and cold? Why did he reply to me?”

Then, Xu Dian updated his Weibo again.

Xu Corporation Xu Dian V: Let me clarify something else. The necklace from the 【Eternal Leaf】 collection has also been gifted to my girlfriend @MengYing.

“Holy crap! HOLY CRAP!!! The necklace, the Eternal Leaf necklace, was bought by a mysterious person in Myanmar three years ago. So it was you, it was you all along!”

“The mysterious big shot was actually you, President Xu!”

“I remember the price back then was 200 million.”

“I’m speechless. Sister Meng Ying, how’s your neck and ears holding up?”

“I’ve been utterly flexed on.”

“I’m so jealous. Meng Ying’s boyfriend is really rich.”

That necklace cost 200 million?

After scrolling through Weibo, Meng Ying could only think of these words: 200 million. She had worn it for a few hours, and the shock left her no time to think about anything else.

Xu Qing: I thought the 90-million-yuan earrings were shocking enough, but I didn’t expect something even more shocking to follow. Tell me, did you wear that necklace? What did it look like?

Xu Qing: Xu Dian really dares to spend money on you. I’m genuinely impressed by that.

Meng Ying: I wore it for a bit, but Geneva isn’t the safest place, so I had him take it back. I haven’t officially accepted it yet.

Xu Qing: But he did gift it to you, right?

Meng Ying: ……

Xu Qing: Haha, alright, I know you must have found your balance before agreeing to be with him, right?

Meng Ying: I did find my balance before agreeing, but I didn’t expect things to go public so quickly.

Xu Qing: He acted first and asked for forgiveness later.

Meng Ying: Yeah.

Then, her Weibo and phone were either blown up or constantly buzzing with notifications. Messages poured in from all directions—curious inquiries, greetings, and congratulations from various media outlets, friends, and family. Everyone seemed eager to send their blessings or probe for more information. Even the magazines that hadn’t approached Meng Ying for photo shoots since her comeback now sent their congratulations, expressing their hope to collaborate on a cover shoot once she returned from her studies.

They even mentioned wanting to discuss long-term partnerships.

Three top-tier brands directly reached out, hoping she would endorse their products. Following that, several variety shows and two major events came knocking.

For the first time, Meng Ying was overwhelmed with so many opportunities.

She felt a bit dizzy.

In her dazed state, she thought to herself, *This dog man’s brand influence is really something.* However, while other opportunities came flooding in, there were no offers from the film and television industry. The threshold for that field was still high, and it didn’t rely on this kind of exposure. Just then, Liu Qin’s call came through.

Meng Ying answered.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before Liu Qin finally took a deep breath and exclaimed, “Oh my god, are you two really together? President Xu went public without any PR preparation. Our phones are blowing up, and there are reporters swarming the company building right now.”

Liu Qin knew that Xu Dian had chased Meng Ying to Geneva, but she had no idea about the follow-up, let alone that Meng Ying would end up trending overseas in such a way.

Meng Ying: “I was forced into going public.”

Liu Qin: “…”

Alright then.

The two chatted for a while before Liu Qin had to go deal with the fallout from the hot search. Meng Ying hung up the phone. To be honest, after all the twists and turns between them, Liu Qin wasn’t surprised that the two had ended up together. She just hoped Xu Dian would treat Meng Ying well. Seeing how boldly Xu Dian had announced their relationship, there wasn’t much to criticize.

Meanwhile, in Li City.

The computer screen displayed a flood of messages from media influencers.

“Miss Yang, are you sure Xu Corporation won’t send a lawyer’s letter?”

One minute later.

“Ugh, Miss Yang, you’re going back on your word. Are you sure you even know President Xu? We’ve all received lawyer’s letters. They’ve come via email for now, but written notices will follow soon. Miss Yang, say something! We stirred up the buzz for you, and now you’re hiding behind the screen? What’s the meaning of this?”

“Let me tell you, you have to compensate us for our losses.”

“We can’t afford to go to court with Xu Corporation. Miss Yang, don’t tell me you’ve received a lawyer’s letter too?”

On the screen, an email sat quietly in the inbox.

The lawyer’s letter from Xu Corporation had arrived.

The afternoon tea arrived, and there were many servings—enough to cover the entire table. By the floor-to-ceiling windows of Hu Ye’s villa, everyone was seated. Hu Ye and a few others held drinks and milk tea, raising their glasses to toast Meng Ying.

“I didn’t expect we’d find out about you two being together through Weibo. You didn’t say anything today,” Mi Xue said, hugging Meng Ying’s arm. Meng Ying took a sip of juice and replied, “I forgot.”

“How could you forget something like that? Congratulations!” Hu Ye said.

Qiao Qi chimed in, “Well, here’s to a hundred years of happiness for you two.”

Meng Ying smiled and raised her glass. “Thank you. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

That was how she saw it.

Mi Xue added, “I really want to see that 200-million-yuan necklace.”

Meng Ying replied, “I didn’t accept it. It’s still with him.”

“You didn’t accept it? Wow…” Mi Xue couldn’t believe it. Meng Ying just smiled faintly and continued sipping her juice and eating cookies.

After the afternoon tea, Meng Ying picked up her phone and started scrolling.

She noticed that Xu Dian had sent quite a few messages.

She clicked to check.

Xu Dian: The other party has withdrawn a message.

At the Geneva branch of Xu Corporation, Xu Dian was biting on a cigarette, leaning forward with his hands resting on his knees. His long fingers tapped on the phone’s keypad.

“Have you seen Weibo?”

【Withdrawn】

Are you angry?

【Withdrawn】

What are you doing? Did you have enough afternoon tea? I’ve made our relationship public.

【Withdrawn】

I’ll handle the PR, so don’t worry.

【Withdrawn】

Well… even though you’re an actress, actresses still need to date and get married.

【Withdrawn】

Meng Ying: ?

Meng Ying: What on earth did you withdraw?

Xu Dian’s fingers paused for a second, then he started typing again.

Xu Dian: What do you want for dinner?

“Pfft—” Yan Xing, who was standing across from him and had seen everything through his glasses, spat out his tea, spraying it all over the glass. Xu Dian glanced up at him.

Yan Xing covered his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter, and grabbed a tissue. “President Xu, should we cancel the evening meeting? Ahem…”

He had to hold it in. He couldn’t laugh.

“Cancel it.”

Yan Xing: “Got it. Take your time with the messages. I won’t disturb you.”

With that, he picked up the files on the table and hurried out of the room.

Pfft, hahaha.

He’d been typing for so long, but couldn’t send a single message. How scared could he be?

This is just too much.

Meng Ying replied to Xu Dian.

Meng Ying: Anything is fine.

Xu Dian: Then let’s go for Western food. I’ll pick you up at 5:30.

Meng Ying: What did you withdraw earlier? Did you really need to withdraw so many times just to ask about dinner?

Xu Dian: I didn’t withdraw anything.

Meng Ying: I saw the Weibo post…

Xu Dian: I have to get back to work now. There’s a meeting I need to attend.

Meng Ying: ?? Suddenly busy?

Xu Dian: Yes.

Meng Ying: ……

Huh???

Never mind, I’ll bring it up during dinner tonight.

The afternoon class was relatively relaxed. Meng Ying also received the schedule for the promotional tours of *Twins* and *Interstellar*, which meant she could only stay in Geneva for three more days at most. She would have to rush back to Li City by Saturday. This was her first time appearing on the big screen, so Hu Ye ended the class a little after four.

Meng Ying checked the time, went back to her apartment, changed into a dress, and styled her hair into loose waves. Just as she finished, she received a WeChat message from Zhao Qiao.

Zhao Qiao: Your uncle and I went out today. What do you want for dinner? We can bring it to you.

Meng Ying: No need, Auntie. I’m having dinner with Xu Dian.

Zhao Qiao: Oh, a date? Alright then, we won’t crash your plans. If he bullies you, let me know, and I’ll beat him up.

Meng Ying: Okay, he won’t.

As soon as she sent the message, she heard a car horn outside. Her phone rang again, and she answered it, quickly saying, “I’m coming down,” before slipping on her high heels, opening the door, and clacking down the stairs.

The sunset bathed the scene in golden light. Xu Dian leaned against the car door, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. When he saw her, he straightened up and reached out to take her hand.

Meng Ying placed her hand in his, and with a gentle tug, Xu Dian half-lifted her down, spinning her around and pressing her against the car door.

A soft breeze brushed past.

Xu Dian leaned in.

Meng Ying: “Hmm?”

“Take off my glasses.”

Meng Ying reached up and removed his glasses. As soon as her fingers let go, Xu Dian kissed her. Meng Ying had no choice but to grip the glasses tightly and clutch her small bag.

She tilted her chin up, her tongue trying to evade his, but he caught it anyway.

Her cheeks flushed red.

When the kiss ended, Meng Ying rested her head against the crook of his neck, and Xu Dian held her close, chuckling softly.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He casually pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

**Weibo Hot Search:**

#Look! Meng Ying Isn’t Even Following Her “Boyfriend” Xu Dian!#

#Xu Dian Staged His Own Drama#

#When Men Act, They Outshine Women—Xu Dian#

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